There’s something warm and homey about indoor wood paneling, especially with reclaimed wood which already has plenty of character from its past lives. However, sometimes you need color and light for the room to really thrive. You Because of that, you might consider painting your wood paneling. This will allow you to enjoy the character of wood while still adding color to the space.
But painting wood paneling is not the same as painting any other wall. There are steps that you have to take to ensure that the paint job looks neat and that it lasts. Here are some mistakes you want to avoid when painting wood paneling.
Choosing the Wrong Paint
The standard paint you would use for any other room won’t work for painting wood paneling. Most interior rooms are painted with oil-based paint, which could start to peel and flake over time. You need something with stronger adherence and the durability to withstand adhering to wood for years and years. Most experts recommend acrylic latex paints for wood paneling.
Forgetting To Sand
Indoor wood paneling must be smooth in order to really be the warm, comfortable walls that you need them to be. And with a fresh coat of paint, they’ll remain smooth. However, in order to paint them, you first have to sand them down. Wood paneling is also hardier and less water permeable than most wood, so if it’s not sanded first, the paint won’t adhere. Make sure the wood paneling is thoroughly sanded down before you even lift a paintbrush.
Failing to Prime
In addition, wood already has a natural color, which can impact the way that your color of choice actually appears on the wall. In addition, wood paneling is still porous and might absorb some of your paint. Think of it like dying your hair a drastically different color. If you simply use the color itself, it will sink into your hair. First, you have to lighten or even bleach your hair so that the color can take. That’s why it’s essential to prime the wall first. Primer is a layer of white that is applied to the walls first to help the color of the paint pop without sinking into the wood.
Giving Yourself Too Short Of a Timeframe
Wood paneling takes longer to paint than most walls. Even if you’ve already sanded it down, you still need to make sure the wall is thoroughly primed, and it will dry differently than it might on other walls. If you’re taking time off work for this project, try to take the whole day rather than taking half a day. You also have to exercise some patience during the job. You’ll probably need two coats of paint, and if you start to apply the second before the first is fully dried, you’ll end up with a mess.
Still need the perfect wood for your wood paneling? Consider opting for reclaimed wood. Reclaimed Wood Solutions can help with our wood that ships anywhere within the United States. Contact us today for more information or to order reclaimed wood of your own.
